Pittsburgher

Although I think I will forever refuse to be called a "Pittsburgher" (the name sounds completely awful), I am really liking my new city. I never really had a NEW city- except for San Marcos. Waco, Texas has been my wonderful home for 25 years of my life- an entire quarter of a century! And San Marcos was wonderful- but it was definitely a transition period- and I was planning a wedding for an entire year.

So Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania- with it's many bridges, heinz ketchup, Pirates, Steelers, Penguins and Primanti's Sandwiches- is my new home. First of all- the people make the place- and I have met some incredibly welcoming people among my co-workers, new family and new church.  Everyone wants to hear how in the world I came about moving across the country- and my story gets better with each person that hears it.  Also - I love being in a bigger city- there is so much more to do and multiple places to go get groceries, and household needs.

Every week feels like an adventure- whether it's learning how to ride the bus into downtown, or finding our way to a new church- everything is unchartered territory for me and Jonathan. There really hasn't been any downside to Pittsburgh (I've been in a really good mood for about two straight months - maybe this is the honeymoon period?) but there are things I miss from Waco, Texas.

Things I miss:

1. Definitely my family
2. Mexican food
3. Measuring distance in minutes
4. Friends that I was able to see very easily no matter what city
5. Going to Mom's on Sunday for Family Lunch and Dinner
6. Sibling bonding time
7. BBQ
8. Chicken Fried Steak
9. Flat land to run on
10. "Y'ALL"

Things I don't Miss:

1. Allergies
2. Heat
3. Seeing someone you know everytime you go out of the house
4. Driving from San Marcos to Waco every weekend
5. Allergies & Heat

Well mostly my list of things I miss centers around my family - which I would miss even if I lived in Dallas- and the good ole' southern charm of Texas in general. But for now, I am excited about the daily adventure that Jonathan and I go on, which is Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET VIOLET

Twenty six years ago today I became a MOTHER. Violet might (mistakenly) think that this is only HER birthday. But this is THE day that I became who, I believe, I was meant to be. Being the mother to all of my children, began with one small little 6 lb. bundle born on May 8, 1986. Violet Susanna Fuller's first day of life. It might as well of been MY first day of life (certainly as I now know it). Violet entered our lives with screams and laughter. We had no idea what we had gotten ourselves into, but we were certain that our little Violet was unique and special in every way possible. We surrounded ourselves with loving granparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Violet was loved by all who knew her.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET VIOLET CHILD! You will always be loved by all who know you!

Yankee Lady Lawyer

Violet got married. Violet moved to Pittsburgh. Violet is now a Yankee Lady Lawyer. This is her first day of work and I am anxious to hear how she is doing. She actually had the luxury of having two weeks after the move to Pittsburgh before she had to report to her new job as a crimanal defense lawyer. So she has been unpacking moving boxes, unwrapping wedding gifts and finding the local grocery store to prepare evening meals for her new husband. I have received many calls and texts these past two weeks with questions and comments about all sorts of things. I cannot wait to hear stories about her new workplace. Several of the lawyers are younger (less than 30) and a few are actually members of her sorority (Chi Omega). So she should have a built-in network of friends and colleagues. Each stage of a person's life is meant to prepare you for the next stage so I am looking forward to seeing what being a yankee lady lawyer is set to prepare her for next.

Newlywed Movers and Shakers- by Violet

I GOT MARRIED!!!! Yes- I cannot believe it still! But there are pictures to prove it. See--

Anyway- I am convinced I need to start blogging again- Yes, after a year hiatus from spreading my words on the internet. So I've changed my blog layout, updated what has changed (insert husband and new life in Pennsylvania) and have decided to just start typing. The wedding was incredibly- so many loved ones to help and so many hands willing to help make my day absolutely perfect. I think that touched me more than anything, the people who worked to make my day picture perfect. Everything from the beautiful brooch bouquet that my fairy godmother, Carolyn, made for me, to the handmade garter that my Aunt Cindee made for me. Every piece that I wore and every moment that was planned culminated into the perfect wedding. And not just the perfect wedding, but the perfect party! And that is exactly what I wanted to happen- I wanted all of my loved ones to be blissfully happy, as I was, and dance the night away- with full stomachs and plentiful libations. I think my absolute favorite moment of the wedding was the vows, and second was seeing my entire family, siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles- all on the dance floor. Now it's already been almost three weeks since the wedding day, but I've had a lot to do before I could sit down and narrate the happenings. I absolutely HAD to get away to COSTA RICA, with my fabulous husband, Jonathan Silko.

Although it was hotter than Texas, he sweated through the week of paradise with his new bride because he knew I wanted to be on a beach! It was so great after a year of long distance (phone relationship) to get to spend time just talking to Jonathan, and BOY did I talk. We loved the resort we stayed at (Playa Conchal- Westin) and we loved the relaxation- but we definitely loved getting to finally spend more than just a weekend hanging out with each other- and starting to work on our day-to-day relationship.

And after our families gathered again in Dallas to see us off (with BBQ OF COURSE - we are all Texan), we drove my VERY FULL car to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to start our new lives together. I love the trip- mostly because Jonathan drove the whole way. I got to be a passenger of life and play DJ the whole way. I sang, I played drum on the dashboard, but (probably to Jonathan's dismay) I never slept! I was too excited! I wanted to be at my new HOME!!! Then, when we finally drove up to the apartment building in which we reside, we collapsed on the couch and watched two hours of HBO GO (best thing ever). We were invited over to Jonathan's aunt and uncle's house for a nice welcome home Italian meal (everyone is Italian up here). I loved the sense of family that we immediately came home to, and I love how similar our families are. That must be why he struck me as such a well rounded man- because our families have shaped us and molded us into incredible interesting people (if I don't say so myself). So for the past week and a half I've been unpacking a hoarders amount of clothes that I have accumulated and trying to turn this bachelor pad into a home. But next week I start work, and I think I'm about settled in. I will start working as a criminal defense lawyer for Allegheny county and will continue to do what my Uncle has spent the past year Mentoring me in. I'm ready to hit the ground running and start becoming a fabulously successful LADY LAWYER wife. I've always been ambitious, and now that the house is somewhat in order- I cannot imagine not going to work immediately and these last couple days are going to kill me. That's one very important thing about my husband, he calms me down and TRIES to teach me how to relax. Sweet Jonathan, he just doesn't get why I can get so WOUND UP! Doesn't he know who my mother is???!! Although she would promptly say that she doesn't know where I come from- because I work myself up into a complete tizzy. Well good news- since the honeymoon I've been super relaxed! See the only cure is COSTA RICA, or some other beautiful beach location- EASY PEASY. Well I hope to be more regular about writing but hopefully my mom will start back again and let me know how everything is going in BEAR COUNTRY. Until then! ADIOS!! -Violet, Baby Bear